Range Trail Crew Member

Join our Range Crew and Discover the Range of Your Potential! (Applications close March 11)

Position: Corps Member, Range Crew 

Program Dates: May 6, 2025 – September 19, 2025 

Location: National Parks, California State Parks and National Forests across California 

Compensation: $2,880/month stipend (deducting $90/week for food), plus one set of essential gear provided if needed.

Thank you for your interest in the Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps (ESCC)!  We are a leadership development organization focused on creating a more diverse and inclusive outdoor community, with a commitment to providing transformative, immersive experiences for historically underrepresented groups. We seek candidates who demonstrate a strong work ethic, initiative, and a commitment to collaborative community living.

Program Overview

The Range Crew Program is designed for individuals new to conservation corps work—no prior experience with trail work or backcountry living is required. (For applicants with at least 12 weeks of trail work experience, we recommend exploring our WILDlands Technical Trail Crew positions.) 

Range Crew members gain hands-on experience in trail work, habitat restoration, and resource management while living with their crew in remote backcountry settings for the entire season. Housing is provided in personal tents with minimal amenities. This physically demanding experience often requires members to hike 4 – 8+ miles a day on uneven terrain with packs weighing up to 60 lbs. Our wilderness programs foster resilience, leadership, and teamwork. 

Working conditions are challenging and immersive, as members are stationed far from immediate medical services with limited communication. Expect exposure to extreme weather, including intense heat, cold, and rain, and the possibility of environmental hazards like wildfires and encounters with wildlife. Crew members should be prepared for physically intense labor, including trail construction, erosion control, and habitat restoration, under rugged outdoor conditions. 

Crew responsibilities extend beyond trail work. Each member must cook meals in rotation, participate in chores, and engage in career preparation activities and skill-building tasks alongside supervisors and project partners. Weekends are designated for rest or group exploration of nearby wilderness areas.

Crew life is structured and team-oriented, with limited personal time. Adherence to Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps rules is mandatory, with structured conditions ensuring the health and safety of all members. Typical work hours are 8 hours per day, 5 days a week, with crew responsibilities and educational activities that may extend beyond regular project hours. Expect to work daily while adhering to strict program policies, including a no-drug/alcohol policy. Members must meet physical requirements and follow all ESCC guidelines, with reasonable accommodations available for qualified individuals.

To ensure all participants are best prepared for the physical demands of the season, we facilitate an optional six-week physical training program PRIOR to the start of the season. This program includes consistent cardiovascular exercise, strength-building routines, and stretching, with progress tracked via the Strava app.

Work Responsibilities and Crew Life

This program is both physically and mentally demanding. You’ll perform trail work and participate in community development that includes:

• Trail Work: Perform intensive manual labor in challenging conditions, including building and maintaining trails, habitat restoration, and other resource management tasks
• Living Conditions: Expect remote campsites without cell service, electricity, regular mail, or flushing toilets. All meals are crew-prepared, with duties rotating among members
• Communal Duties: Contribute to a safe, inclusive environment through active engagement in crew activities, including community meetings, daily chores, and educational modules covering environmental awareness, career development, and cooperative living
• Health & Safety: Team safety is paramount, and you’ll engage in daily physical training as well as regular safety meetings, hazard trainings, and other risk management practices

Applicant Requirements

• Must be 18-30 years old and able to pass a background check
• U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident
• Willingness to adhere to ESCC’s safety, conduct, and drug-free policies
• We strongly recommend our virtual 6-week pre-season training that will include both physical and mental preparation and training.

Preferred Skills

– Strong work ethic and communication skills

• Demonstrated professionalism, maturity, and respect in both crew and independent settings
• Ability to convey information effectively and respectfully in both verbal and written forms
• Proven capacity to prioritize tasks and work both independently and collaboratively
• Adaptable and committed to working a flexible schedule, accommodating changing project needs and environmental conditions